Abstract: When an automatic parking function and an automatic driving function are provided in the same system, a vehicle stops for parking trajectory calculation when switching between an automatic driving mode and an automatic parking mode is performed, and thus, there is concern that a driver is likely to feel discomfort with this stop.

Abstract: A design is disclosed for a stop signal light emitter and receiver which together enable simple automatic stopping control within designated spaces for moving entities like vehicles, robots or drones, while the transmitted signal remains clearly visible to animals or people. The motivation is to provide a minimum design and standardized spatial signal for safe operation of vehicles and machines and movement of animals and people where a stop signal is linked to a local spatial area. The local spatial area of the signal emitter is linked via transmission from an emitter which is part of a signaling device (where the signaling device is a traffic light or brake light for example), to a receiver where there signal is detected by optical and or photoelectric circuitry.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-level closed loop control of haptic effects are disclosed. One illustrative system for multi-level closed loop control of haptic effects includes a haptic output device configured to output a haptic effect, a sensor configured to sense the output of the haptic output device and generate a sensor signal, and a processor in communication with the sensor. The processor is configured to: receive a reference signal, receive the sensor signal, determine an error based at least in part on the reference signal and the sensor signal, generate a haptic signal based at least in part on the reference signal and the error, and transmit the haptic signal to a haptic output device configured to output a haptic effect based on the haptic signal.

Abstract: A location-based and preference-based system and method for matching media content about persons, places and things with the expressed preferences of mobile users to notify users about and provide users with access to media content about persons, places and things that match the user's expressed preferences. The system thus provides information such as stories or articles that match the user's interests and relate to their location. The system may assign ranks to all of the media content that meets that user's preferences wherein, in one embodiment, it will automatically play them in the assigned order. Comparison of the user's preferences with the various profiles of the media content allows the user only to be informed of the media content for those persons, places or things that the user is likely to be interested in. The system and method thus provides for a mobile real-time point of interest exchange network.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) shielding and monitoring system includes multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) (12, 14, 82, 92), multiple optical detectors (20, 84, 94) for detecting a light output of the plurality of LEDs (12, 14, 82, 92), and a LED shield (30, 110) with multiple compartments (38, 114) for receiving the multiple optical detectors (20, 84, 94). The LED shield (30, 110) is configured such that each compartment (38, 114) receives an optical detector (20, 84, 94), and wherein each compartment (38, 114) is configured such that the optical detector (20, 84, 94) within the compartment (38, 114) detects the light output of a LED (12, 14, 82, 92) of the multiple LEDs (12, 14, 82, 92) without detecting light output other than the light output of the LED (12, 14, 82, 92). Further, wayside LED signals including a LED shielding and monitoring system are provided.

Abstract: The information display system includes an antenna, a display unit, a processing unit, and a housing. The antenna receives outside information from an outside of a vehicle. The display unit performs display to the outside of the vehicle. The processing unit is capable of executing outside-targeted display processing by which to cause the display unit to perform display associated with the outside information by controlling the display unit based on the outside information received by the antenna. The housing is installed on the vehicle after having the antenna, the display unit, and the processing unit assembled thereto and thus unitized. As a result, the information display system produces the effect of enabling beneficial information to be provided to the outside of the vehicle.

Abstract: A retrofittable modular school bus safety apparatus comprising a CPU, a plurality of sensors and scanners, an electrical plug device, and an output device. The electrical plug device is preferably adapted to plug into an auxiliary power port, a USB port or an OBD port to provide electrical power to the apparatus and to provide actuatable communication to school bus devices such as lights, horns, crossing arm, etc. The sensors include machine vision sensors, proximity detection sensors, and speed detection sensors. The apparatus is adapted to “read” a vehicle's license plate via ALPR, perform facial recognition, automatically monitor and warn/alert traffic proximate the school bus, to automatically respond with an appropriate level of response depending on an observed level of a moving violation, and to automatically wirelessly obtain the traffic laws/regulations applicable to location of the school bus and to operate accordingly.

Abstract: An illustrative example detector for use on a vehicle includes a radiation emitter having a near field region that is defined at least in part by a wavelength of radiation emitted by the radiation emitter. A radiation steering device includes a plurality of reflectors, an actuator, and a controller. The reflectors are situated to reflect the radiation emitted by the radiation emitter. The reflectors are in the near field region and have at least one characteristic that limits any phase shift of the reflected radiation. The actuator is configured to adjust an orientation of the reflectors. The controller is configured to determine an orientation of the plurality of reflectors relative to the radiation emitter to steer the emitted radiation reflected from the reflectors in a determined direction. The controller is configured to control the actuator to achieve the determined orientation.

Abstract: An electric bicycle that has a communication system, including at least one electronic processing module for processing information for the rider of the electric bicycle, and at least one signal device for providing the processed information to the rider. To reduce safety risks due to the rider being distracted by his/her surroundings while riding the electric bicycle and to increase riding comfort, the at least one signal device is designed to output the information as a tactile, optical, and/or acoustic signal emitted by the electric bicycle in order to spontaneously influence the rider.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products to detect distracted driving are disclosed. A mobile device is associated with a vehicle driver. Suspect activity associated with the vehicle driver is detected based at least in part on mobile device use data collected by the mobile device. A suspect activity record is generated comprising mobile device use data associated with the detected suspect activity. The suspect activity record and an identifier of the vehicle driver are provided to a repository.

Abstract: A method of establishing a desired flow of haul trucks with respect to a jobsite can include receiving, from a paver locating device, a paver location signal indicative of a location of a paver. A central computer can establish a desired location range of the first haul truck based on the paver location signal and a first haul truck location signal.

Abstract: A network of scopes, including one or more lead scopes and one or more follower scopes, is provided to allow scope operators of the respective scopes to track the same presumed target. A lead scope locates a target and communicates target position data of the presumed target to the follower scope. The follower scope uses the target position data and its own position data to electronically generate indicators for use to prompt the operator of the follower scope to make position movements so as to re-position the follower scope from its current target position to move towards the target position defined by the target position data received from the lead scope.

Abstract: A network of scopes, including one or more lead scopes and one or more follower scopes, is provided to allow the respective scopes to track the same presumed target. A lead scope locates a target and communicates target position data of the presumed target to the follower scope. The follower scope uses the target position data and its own position data to generate electronic control signals for use by follower scope to make position movements so as to re-position the follower scope from its current target position to move towards the target position defined by the target position data received from the lead scope. At least the second scope is mounted to, or integrated into, a vehicle, which uses the target position data to move to a new location so as to allow the second scope to better view the target.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computing devices are described herein for monitoring a premises when residents or other users are present in order to detect patterns of activity at the premises. Such patterns may comprise, for example, a typical schedule indicating usage of one or more devices by one or more users of the premises. When a user is away or otherwise inactive, commands may be sent to various user devices to make it appear (e.g., to those outside the premises) as if the user is present by simulating and/or recreating the patterns that were previously detected.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to a tire sensor and more particularly to a tire sensor configured to be fixed to a tire in a screwing manner, and a tire having the same. In one aspect, a tire sensor configured to be fixed to a tire in a screwing manner includes a sensor module configured to be attached to an inner surface of a tread of a pneumatic tire to detect conditions of the tire, a sensor casing formed to surround the sensor module, and a sensor fixture including a fixing screw to fixedly attach the sensor casing to the inner surface of the tread of the tire in a screwing manner by turning the fixing screw. In another aspect, a tire includes the tire sensor fixedly attached in a screwing manner therein for detecting tire conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating axles of a vehicle are provided. In one example, an apparatus is configured to consume a first amount of electric power to indicate a first axle operating state. The apparatus is also configured to consume a second amount of electric power to indicate a second axle operating state.

Abstract: At a control circuit of a TPM sensor, one or more of a first adjustment to the periodicity, a second adjustment to the content, and a third adjustment to the length of a message are determined based upon the operational history of the sensor. The adjustments are applied to the messages and adjusted messages are transmitted.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating haptic simulations is provided. The apparatus includes a body that defines an inner cavity, and a pair of connectors positioned adjacent to ends of the body. A wire electrically connects the connectors and is wound around a first portion of the body in a first direction and wound around a second portion of the body in an opposite direction. A ring magnet is secured to an outer surface of the body. An armature magnet is slidably positioned within the inner cavity aligned with the ring magnet due to its magnetic pull. When a current is driven through the wire, simultaneous push and pull forces are created, causing the armature magnet to oscillate within the inner cavity to create vibration. When a magnitude of the current driven exceeds a threshold, the armature magnet impacts a stop of the inner cavity to create a “click” stimulation.

Abstract: A device for monitoring an occupancy status of a parking space of a parking area includes a sensor unit for detecting the occupancy status, a near-field communication unit, and a processing unit configured to (a) establish a first wireless data link to a first communication unit of a first external device using the near-field communication unit, (b) receive an activation and/or deactivation command from the external device via the first data link, and (c) activate and/or deactivate the sensor unit upon receipt of the activation and/or deactivation command. The parking area can include the device. Additionally, a system can includes the device and a first external device that includes the first communication unit.

Abstract: A compound sensor that is capable of being used with robotics is provided such that the compound sensor includes a distance measurement unit and a pressure measurement unit. Further, a contact detection unit, which is dedicated to performing a detection when a measurement target contacts with a surface of the sensor is included.